So, the Republican Party opposes the stimulus package being floated by Obama and crew.  Shock.  They have posted their list of wasteful things from the stimulus package, in a rather transparent attempt to stir outrage in the hearts and minds of the like-minded (read: close-minded) and like-educated (read: ignorant) among us.  I must say that reading this list, I did note one or two items that seem either enough outside the scope of “things that will really help the economy” or just seemed like way too much money for the work detailed.  The tax break for Hollywood producers seems silly, I get that.  And, $88 million seems like an awful lot of money to build a boat. 

However, I think a very good argument can be made that a majority of those items listed will actually have real impact on the economy — both in terms of short-term job creation as well as long-term cost savings.  Some of that savings is measurable and real (like in the case of buying hybrids for government employees — instead of gas-guzzling SUVs) and some may have an even greater, less-predictable impact (like the smoking, drug/alcohol prevention lines).

But what really gets my goose is how the Republicans can’t seem to get over the fact that their tried and true (read: truly a failure) concept that “tax cuts cure all that ails you” just plain doesn’t work.  Lets look beyond the hypocrisy of “how dare you ram legislation through Congress without consulting us” that they were crying a week or so ago. 

The secondary response to the stimulus was just as bogus: we want more tax cuts.  You dumbasses, cutting taxes while increasing spending is a major reason we’re in such a mess right now!  China practically owns us (along with Japan and a few other countries).  What do you think 98.3% of Americans will do with their tax cut?  Will they stimulate the economy with it? If they’re smart, they will save it or use it to pay off credit card debt.  In many cases, it will go right to Wal-Mart or the local Shop N’ Save.  Will they invest? Will they go buy a new car? Consumer goods? It hasn’t happened that way in the past… but don’t let history get in the way of a cool idea guys, just keep on keeping on!

Which brings me to the latest trumpeting from the right wing(nuts).  Now, Republicans want to… drum roll please… put $300 billion into making it easier for people to buy homes.  Yes, good idea, lets come up with cute ways to get people to buy homes they otherwise couldn’t afford!  Um, a big WTF goes out to the Republican party: wasn’t it exactly that same concept — although executed differently than this plan — that most people agree triggered the global economic meltdown we’re in?  We have to get people to buy up this over-supply of homes on the market.  Gee, you mean your ill-advised, supply-side policies continue to backfire?  To me, what they’re saying is “let’s fight fire with fire” which only seems to work when you’re actually fighting fires.  Even then, I’m pretty sure that fighting fire with fire ultimately leads to an even bigger firestorm.

Trickle-down economics don’t work.  Never have.  Supply-side, voodoo, whatever you want to call it.  These pillars of Republican economic policy have done nothing but consolidate wealth among the Rich White Men’s Club (RWMC) while sending a big, foamy middle finger out to the rest of the country.  Cut taxes, wage war, deregulate, borrow and spend… as if the Republicans have even a little toe to stand on when it comes to economic policy!

Is there any chance we’ll be able to drive them into remission, if not out-right extinction???